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St John Cantius HSR -compressed.pdfltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH 25 Monroe Street, Suite 202 Albany, NY 12210 518.375.1485 ltrw-arch.com FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH NORTHAMPTON, MA HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT JULY 2022 FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT Prepared by Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP 25 Monroe Street, Suite 202 Albany, NY 12210 for O’Connell Development Group ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH TABLE OF CONTENTS A. Introduction 1 B. Context and History 3 C. Existing Conditions Assessment 15 D. Recommendations 45 4Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH 1 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH A. Introduction 2Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP (LTRW) is pleased to submit the follow- ing Historic Structure Report on the St. John Cantius Church located in Northampton, Massachusetts. This report will assist O’Connell Development Group in determining the condition of the site and build- ing and the recommended repairs for their proposed adaptive reuse strategy. St. John Cantius Church is a contributing structure located at 10 Hawley Street on the corner of Hawley Street and Phillips Place within the Pomeroy Terrace Historic District in Northampton. The site has a significant connection to Polish immigrant history and the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. The building is currently vacant and is no longer a church. Mark Thaler, partner at LTRW, undertook an on-site building inspection on June 23, 2022 and found it to retain much of its historic integrity although numerous repairs are required. INTRODUCTION Fig.1:View of St John Cantius Church bell tower located on the southwest corner. Credit: LTRW 3 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH B. Context and History 4Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH CONTEXT AND HISTORY St. John Cantius Polish Catholic Church is a contributing structure located at 10 Hawley Street on the corner of Hawley Street and Phillips Place within the Pomeroy Terrace Historic District in Hampshire County, Northampton. Pomeroy Terrace Historic District retains its historical and architectural significance with 128 contributing buildings built between the late-19th century Victorian styles and 20th century Revival styles. The district primarily has residential and institutional buildings and also includes a 19 acre cemetery with some markers dating back to the late 17th century. Fig.2:Aerial view of site with St. John Cantius Church marked in red. Source: Google Maps Fig.3:Historic map with Pomeroy Terrace Historic District boundary overlay in red. Location of St. John Cantius Church marked. Date: Unknown. Source: MACRIS Maps Former St. John Cantius Church 5 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.4:Map indicating the physical boundary of Pomeroy Terrace Historic District. Location of St. John Cantius Church marked in red. Source: MACRIS Maps The Polish community who migrated to Northampton in the late 19th century expanded from 75 families in 1898 to about 500 families in 1902. Recognizing the needs of this fast growing community a Parish was organized in 1904 and services were initially held in the basement of St. Mary’s Church and were later on moved to Lyman Hall on Center Street. In 1905 the Parish bought the Blodgett House located on Prospect Street and converted the 1825 mansion building into a church with the help of architect E.L. Tilton of New York, one of the architects who designed the United States Immigration Station at Ellis Island. After remodeling the building could accommodate about 470 parishioners and was used until 1913 after which the growing Parish made plans to build a new church. The parcel for this new church building was bought in 1908 and construction began in August 1911 and the church was dedicated in April 1913. In the same year an additional parcel of land adjoining the church was bought to build the Parish Hall which would have two classrooms; and the parcel at the rear side of the church was used to build the Church Rectory. By 1940 the Polish community was the largest immigrant population in Northampton and they lived around St. John Cantius Church on Phillips and Butler Pl. and Hancock and Hawley St. Many parishioners were actively involved in the church and contributed towards its needs and developments. Former St. John Cantius Church 6Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.5:Archival photo of Blodgett House- Rear Elevation Date: Unknown. Source: St. John Cantius Church 100th Anniversary 1904-2004 book American Architect John W. Donohue was appointed to design the new St. John Cantius Church building. After working with Edward P. Bassford, Donohue was appointed as in-house architect for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts (which at the time also included the Roman Catholic Di- ocese of Worcester, MA). In this capacity, Donohue would go on to design over 100 churches, schools, hospitals, and other institutional buildings. Many of the buildings designed by Donohue are either listed or contributing structures in historic districts throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The church building retains a significant amount of its historic fabric. The church was renovated in 1954 and 1958 in preparation for its Golden Jubilee celebration. In 1958 a new heating system was installed in the church and a wainscoting was added to the interiors. During this renovation the church organ was also redesigned which opened the view from the rose window on the front gable facade which was otherwise obstructed. In 1966 the interior of the church was whitewashed to simple its appearance. In 1986 the entire interior of the church was repainted and decorated by artist Garret McCarthy of Springfield,MA. The statues and the artwork inside the church were restored in 1986 and the Holy Family shrine at the rear end of the church was added. Fig.6:Archival photo of Blodgett House- Front Elevation Date: Unknown. Source: St. John Cantius Church 100th Anniversary 1904-2004 book Fig.7:Archival photos of parade for the dedication of St John Cantius Church Date: 1913. Source: St. John Cantius Church 100th Anniversary 1904- 2004 book 7 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.8:Archival photos of dedication of St John Cantius Church Date: 1913. Source: St. John Cantius Church 100th Anni- versary 1904-2004 book Fig.9:Foundation stone at the southwest corner of the church building. Credit: LTRW 8Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.10:Archival photo of church apse. Date: Before 1954. Source: St. John Cantius Church 100th Anniversary 1904-2004 book Fig.11:Archival photo of church apse after redecoration. Date: 1986. Source: Historic Northampton Archives 9 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.12:North interior elevation with side chapel. Credit: LTRW Fig.13:View of church interior as seen from the balcony level. Credit: LTRW 10Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.14:View of church interior with original pews and light fixtures installed in 1986. Credit: LTRW Fig.15:Archival photo of artist Garret McCarthy restoring the interiors and statues of the church. Date: 1986. Source: Historic Northampton Archives 11 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.16:Above and Below: Archival photo of artist Garret McCarthy restoring the interiors and statues of the church. Date: 1986. Source: Historic Northampton Archives 12Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.17:Archival photo of the church anniversary celebration prior to interior redecoration. Date: 1979. Source: Historic Northampton Archives Fig.18:Archival photo of church interior. Date: Unknown. Source: St. John Cantius Church 100th Anniversary 1904-2004 book 13 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.19:Archival photo of Richard Parrow of Divine Electric Co fitting new light fixtures during the interior restoration and renovation. Date: 1986. Source: Historic Northampton Archives Fig.20:Detail of light fixtures installed in 1986 that still exist. Credit: LTRW 14Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.21:Archival photo of front facade of the church as seen from Hawley Street. Date: 1954. Source: Historic Northampton Archives Fig.22:Archival photo of front facade of the church as seen from Hawley Street. Date: 1980. Source: Build- ing Inventory form MACRIS Maps Fig.23:Archival photo of front facade of the church as seen from Hawley Street. Date: Un- known. Source: St. John Cantius Church 100th Anniversary 1904-2004 book Fig.24:Archival photo of rose window on the front facade of the church building. Date: 1982. Source: Historic Northampton Archives The St. John Cantius Parish was merged with Sacred Heart Parish in April 2010 after which time the church was closed and desanctified. The Diocese sold most of the stained glass windows and many of the decorative elements after its closure. The Diocese of Springfield sold the property to O'Connell Development Group for $1.6 Million on March 17, 2020. 15 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH C. Existing Conditions Assessment 16Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH EXISTING CONDITION ASSESSMENT The St. John Cantius Church is a one story load bearing structure with balcony and partial basement that was constructed in 1913 and designed in the Romanesque Revival style by architect John W. Donohue. The location of the building at the corner of Hawley Street and Phillips Place gives the ecclesiastical structure a prominent appearance on Hawley Street. The church is rectangular in plan having its shorter or west facing facade oriented along Hawley Street and a five story bell tower attached at the southwest corner. Two single story semi-circular side chapels project out of the building on the north and south sides. A single story rectangular Sacristy is located at the northeast corner and a single story storeroom projects out from the main facade at the southeast corner. The main entrance to the building on the west is elevated above the street level and a ramp access is provided on the southern side through the bell tower. The building can also be accessed from one entrance through the Narthex on the north side and another through the Sacristy. An entrance located on the east facade leads directly to the basement. Exterior facade The exterior of the church is roughly 3-bay by 8-bay exposed brick building with a front-gabled roof. The exterior facade has a combination of rough textured buff colored brick masonry and terracotta trim which gives the building its distinctive appearance. The use of terracotta is seen in the form of a water table that runs along the periphery of the building, belt courses and cornice bands on the facade, window sills, coping, geometric and ornate designs, decorative columns and bracketed door pediments. Religious motifs in terracotta and brick detailing are seen throughout the building. The west facade is the primary street facing facade and is designed to be very ornate, compared to the east or the rear facade which is utilitarian and has minimal openings and no ornamentation. The north and the south facade are nearly identical to each, the only difference being the bell tower on the southwest corner and the sacristy and entry vestibule on the northeast corner. The building has narrow arch topped window openings with wooden frames and terracotta sills. The large windows within the nave are accentuated by setting them into recessed brick panels surmounted by a round arch and separated by pilasters. Fig.25:Front facade and bell tower as seen from the corner of Hawley Street and Phillips Place. Credit: LTRW 17 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.26:South facade and bell tower as seen from Phillips Place. Credit: LTRW Fig.27:Rear and south facade and as seen from Phillips Place. Credit: LTRW 18Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH The first floor level is raised four steps above grade and the entrance is at the water table level. The main entrance has granite steps with an aluminum railing. The granite steps are in good condition; however, the mortar joints between the granite blocks are all open and should be filled to avoid water ingress. This entrance has a double-leaf wooden multi-paneled door. Fig.28:Open mortar joints on the front entry steps that could lead to water ingress. Credit: LTRW Fig.29:Wood rot and damage on the entrance hooded canopy bracket. Credit: LTRW 19 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.30:Detail of semi-circular hooded main entrance to the church. Credit: LTRW 20Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH The southwest entrance has a concrete ramp with a metal railing and is in good condition. The northwest entrance has steps made of exposed aggregate concrete with brick cheek walls with stone coping on either side which is in good condition. Both these entrances have a terracotta door architrave, soffit, and bracketed pediment with a single-leaf multi-paneled wooden door that is recessed. Five of the panels in the entrance doors have glass panels creating a cruciform pattern. Fig.31:Detail of window and terracotta features on the Front facade. Credit: LTRW Fig.32:Accessible ramp installed on the southwest entrance through the bell tower. Credit: LTRW 21 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.33:Wood paneled door with terracotta bracketed pediment on the northwest entrance. Credit: LTRW Fig.34:Sacristy entrance on north facade with wood paneled door with terracotta bracketed pediment. See damage to wooden door that re- quires Dutchman repair. See cracks and open joints in cheek walls of entry steps that need to be restored. Credit: LTRW On the front facade, the gable end portion is recessed between projecting brick piers that rise all the way upto the roof level. The brick piers are each divided into two recessed bays which terminate in two terracotta motifs on the top. A decorative terracotta band runs along the gable profile and a metal cross sits on the peak of the gable. On the center of this facade is a semicircular wooden arched entry canopy with copper roof supported on wooden brackets and four fluted limestone columns. A carved dentil molding cornice band runs along the recessed section of the facade and wraps around the projecting entrance. A bas-relief religious carving is placed directly above the entrance door in the profile of the hood. The entrance is flanked on either side by a set of four fixed glass windows with decorative terracotta columns. A rose window is placed directly above the entrance on the balcony level. The ornate window has sixteen radiating arms in the form of terracotta Corinthian columns followed by multiple circular bands of carved terracotta moldings terminating in a circular band of brick trim. A classical terracotta motif is located on the three quadrants of the rose window. The arched entry canopy and wooden brackets have copper sheet roofing, and the gable end has a copper sheet coping that has deteriorated and is staining the facade. 22Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.35:Detail of terracotta elements on the rose window on the front elevation. Credit: LTRW Fig.36:Detail of terracotta elements on the front gable-end facade. Credit: LTRW 23 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH On the southwest end of this facade, the heavy massing of the bell tower is reduced by horizontal and vertical brick recesses. The bell tower has a fixed stained glass window with brick and terracotta trim detailing on the first floor level. A recess is created from the second to the fourth floor level of the bell tower on all sides. The recess is further divided into three bays and has a narrow lancet window in the center bay on the second and fourth floor level. The fifth level of the bell tower has a set of three arched openings supported by decorative terracotta columns on all four sides. The rear gable end facade has two double hung windows on either side of a central projecting brick pier that rises all the way up to the gable peak and has a terracotta coping. Fig.37:Detailed view of the bell tower with terracotta features. See replaced brick masonry units on the corner from previous repair campaigns that do not match the historic brick masonry. Also see previous repairs of terracotta sill joints that do not match the historic material See Credit: Save St John Cantius Church Facebook page. 24Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH The sacristy vestibule is rectangular in plan and has a west facing entry door similar in design as detail as the northwest entrance. The cheek walls of the entry steps have significant mortar loss and have cracks and are out of plumb. The north wall of the vestibule has two arched double hung windows placed symmetrically on the facade. Fig.38:Sacristy entrance on north facade with wood paneled door with terracotta bracketed pediment. See damage to wooden door that requires Dutchman repair. See cracks and open joints in cheek walls of entry steps that need to be restored. Credit: LTRW Fig.39:Typical rectangular arched double hung church window detail with terracotta window sill and wooden window frame. See-water damage seen in wood rot in the window and open mortar joints on the adjoining wall. Credit: LTRW 25 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH The north and the south facade have a set of five two-story high arched windows which originally had fixed stained glass panels. The stained glass panels have been removed and the opening is divided into three equal sections. The top two sections are fitted with fixed glass panels and the lower section is fitted with a double hung window. On these facades, the projecting semi-circular side chapels have two fixed glass windows, and the gable end of the projecting sacristy and storeroom have a set three arched double hung windows and a blind rose window brick detail in the center. The failing rainwater gutter and downspout over the storeroom have led to significant mortar loss and algae formation on the brick facade, and cracks appear on the gable fascia wall. Fig.40:Typical church window detail with terracotta window sill and wooden window frame. See- Original stained glass windows are re- placed and wood rot and damage to the lower sash of the window. Credit: LTRW Fig.41:Water damage causing algae growth and mortar loss seen on the exterior walls of the storeroom on the south facade. Credit: LTRW 26Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Foundation and basement The load bearing structure has a peripheral brick foundation wall with additional brick piers to support the structure above. Steel beams resting on brick piers are also used to support the wooden framing of the church floor. The area beneath the sacristy, apse, and storeroom is used as a basement to house mechanical equipment; however the area beneath the assembly only has crawl space and a major part is inaccessible. A part of the floor in the crawl space has been dug up exposing the brick foundation of the structure. The basement has a finished concrete floor and painted brick walls. The foundation walls do not show any signs of cracks or distress and are in good condition. Fig.42:Detail of storeroom elevation on the south facade. Credit: LTRW Fig.43:Minor cracks on the foundation walls should be monitored. Credit: LTRW 27 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.44:Wooden stairs providing access to the basement . Credit: LTRW Fig.45:Water ingress causing plaster damage seen on the interior of the sacristy. Credit: LTRW Fig.46:Interior view of basement used for storage and mechanical equipment. Credit: LTRW 28Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.47:Wooden and steel framing members. Credit: LTRW Framing and structure The church building is designed using load bearing construction technique with wooden framing members supported on brick walls. The roof framing trusses can be seen from an attic behind the semi-circular apse. The church floor wooden framing members can be seen from the basement and crawl space. The building framing is in good condition. The framing of the top level of the bell tower was not accessible hence the condition can not be determined. Fig.48:Wooden and steel framing members resting on brick piers seen in the crawl space. See unfinished floor in the crawl space. Credit: LTRW 29 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.50:Wooden framing members of the roof truss and semicircular apse resting on brick masonry walls. Credit: LTRW Fig.49:Brick masonry foundation wall seen in the crawl space as the soil abutting the foundation wall was dug up. Credit: LTRW Interior layout and finishes The church has a narthex entrance with the main entrance on the west and side entrances of the north and south. The nave has a central aisle and two side aisles. A raised semi-circular apse with a hemispherical dome is located at the east end of the building. The altar and sanctuary were removed after the church was desanctified. Two raised semi-circular side chapels with a hemispherical dome are located on the north and south side of the nave, and a rectangular storage room is located on the southeast corner. An entrance on the northeast corner opens into a vestibule that leads into the sacristy. A storeroom located on the southeast corner can be accessed only from the sanctuary. The basement is accessed by wooden stairs leading from the sacristy vestibule. A set of wooden stairs lead from the first floor to the balcony level and then into the bell tower. The balcony is supported on cast iron columns and has a decorative wooden paneled railing. The choir and church organ are located on the balcony. 30Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.51:Interior view of the narthex entrance of the church. See heavy wooden architraves and wainscoting detail. Credit: LTRW Fig.52:Interior view of the bell tower entrance with wooden steps leading to the balcony on the left of the image, and remnants of stained glass window on the right of the image. Credit: LTRW 31 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH The interiors of the church are finished with a coarse sand faced plaster on metal lath. The church retains its original wood strip flooring running in the east-west direction placed over a wooden sub-floor. The church also retains some original wooden pews and other furniture. The floor of the nave and side aisles are covered with carpet runners. A decorative wood paneled wainscoting was added to the interiors of the church in 1958 when a new heating system was installed. A combination of cast and run plaster moldings are seen at the base of the ceiling. The barrel vaulted ceiling of the church has holy figurines and motifs painted in a muted color palette. The curved apse wall and the hemispherical dome ceiling above also have decorative painting. Remnants of original decorative stenciling can be seen in the narthex and in the cove behind the apse. Plaster damage is observed in some sections of the building due to moisture intrusion and needs to be restored. The wooden wainscoting and paneling are in good condition. The interiors of the church were renovated and redecorated in 1954, followed by 1958, 1966 and lastly in 1986 when the entire interior artwork was redecorated including the large wooden tabernacle and the figu- rines by artist Garret McCarthy. In the same year, the lighting fixtures of the church including chandeliers, wall lights, pendant and ceiling mounted lights were redesigned and replaced with the current fixtures by Divine Electric Co. of Springfield; and in 1989 the organ was redesigned. Fig.53:Interior view of the church facing the apse with wooden pews and carpet runners along the central and side aisle. Credit: LTRW 32Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.54:Interior view of the church facing the balcony. See painted vaulted ceiling and light fixtures installed in 1986. Credit: LTRW 33 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.55:Interior view of the church facing the apse. Credit: LTRW 34Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.56:Interior view of the church taken from the balcony level facing the apse. Credit: LTRW Fig.57:Interior view of the church facing the side chapel. Credit: LTRW 35 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.58:Detail of motifs painted on the barrel vaulted church ceiling. Credit: LTRW Fig.59:Water damage seen on the painted church ceiling. Credit: LTRW Fig.60:Detail of painted hemispherical dome above the semicircular apse. Credit: LTRW 36Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.61:Top and Above: Detail of religious motifs and figurines painted on the vaulted church ceiling. Credit: LTRW 37 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH All interior doors and windows have wooden architraves and soffits; whereas some doors have a heavy hood supported on carved wooden brackets. Typically all doors are side hung and some doors retain their original hardware. A set of paneled sliding doors are located on either side of the sanctuary that lead into the sacristy and storeroom. Fig.62:Detail of stained glass window on the front facade. Credit: LTRW Fig.63:Detail of sliding paneled wooden door at the apse. Credit: LTRW Fig.64:Detail of paneled wooden door at the balcony level. Credit: LTRW 38Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.65:Detail of paneled wooden door behind the apse. Credit: LTRW Fig.66:Detail of heavy wooden door architrave and brackets at the narthex entrance of the church. Credit: LTRW Fig.67:Remnants of stenciling seen at the narthex entrance of the church. Credit: LTRW Fig.68:Remnants of stenciling seen in the cove behind the apse of the church. Credit: LTRW 39 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.69:View of the balcony and organ. Credit: LTRW Fig.70:Detail of the paneled wooden balcony railing and cast iron column support. Credit: LTRW 40Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Fig.71:View of wooden steps leading to the bell tower from the balcony level. Credit: LTRW Fig.72:Water ingress causing plaster damage on the interior walls and molding. Credit: LTRW Fig.73:View of the organ at the balcony level. Credit: LTRW 41 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Roofs and Cupola The church building has a pitched gable roof covered with red slate shingles and has a copper ridge cap. Metal flashing is used at the valleys and the junction of the roof and the bell tower. A metal gutter supported on projecting wooden rafter tails runs along the entire length of the roof, and there are a set of two metal downspouts on the north and south facade. Fig.74:View of red slate shingle roof and sheet metal cupola.See missing red slate shingles replaced with grey slate shingles. Credit: Save St John Cantius Church Facebook page Fig.75:View of red slate shingle roof and sheet metal cupola. See deteriorated copper roof over the sheet metal cupola and copper ridge cap over the main church roof. Credit: Save St John Cantius Church Facebook page. 42Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH The red slate shingles are in poor to fair condition, and some missing or damaged shingles have been replaced with grey slate shingles. The missing or damaged red slate shingles should be replaced. Close observation of the slates was not possible during this assessment but an examination of the nails and substrate is required to make a determination whether selective repairs or an entire replacement of the slates are warranted at this time. The gutter and the downspouts are in poor condition and need to be replaced. Some of the wooden rafter tails are also deteriorated and need to be replaced after careful inspection. An octagonal cupola with classical elements and details is placed on the east end of the roof directly above the apse. The cupola is made of galvanized iron sheet metal and is placed over a base that rises above the roof ridge. The cupola has metal louvers on all sides and a ribbed copper dome roof with a metal cross placed on the top of the dome. The entire cupola is in poor condition and needs to be restored. The projecting semi-circular side chapels on the north and south facade have a sloping conical (hipped) roof covered with red slate shingles and have a copper ridge cap. Stepped metal flashing is used along the building face on either side. The side chapels have a built-in gutter made of terracotta panels with a metal downspout. The red slate shingles are in poor condition with many missing or damaged roof tiles that need to be replaced. The copper ridge cap and metal flashing is deteriorated and should be replaced. The built-in gutter should be inspected and cleaned and the downspouts should be replaced. The mortar joints between the terracotta panels are deteriorated and should be repointed. The projecting storeroom on the southeast end has a gable roof covered with red slate shingles with copper ridge cap. The gable end has a metal coping stepped metal flashing along the valley. The metal downspouts have original leader heads and wrought iron brackets. The copper ridge cap, gutter and downspout, and coping are deteriorated and need to be replaced. The red slate shingles are in fair condition, and the missing or damaged slates should be replaced to match the existing slate shingles. Fig.76:Condition of red slate shingle roof over the semi-circular side chapel on the south facade of the church Fig.77:Damaged terracotta coping above fascia wall of the sacristy. Also see open mortar joints leading to water ingress in brick masonry. Credit: LTRW 43 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH The sacristy structure has a combination of a gable roof over the sacristy and a low-sloped roof over the vestibule. The gable end roof is covered with red asphalt shingle and has metal gutters, downspouts and valley flashing that are in very poor condition and need to be replaced. The gable end of the sacristy has a metal coping that is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. The fascia wall of the entrance to the sacristy has a coping of terracotta panels. The deteriorated mortar joints between the panels should be repointed and the damaged terracotta panels should be replaced to match the original. An entry vestibule to the basement projects out of the rear or east side facade and is covered with a low slope pitched terne metal roof. The roof overhangs out on all three sides and has a wooden cornice. The terne metal roof is in poor condition and needs to be replaced in entirety, and wooden cornice should be restored. Fig.78:Deteriorated metal coping above the storeroom wall on the southeast cor- ner. Also see damage to the cornice band on the gable-end wall. Credit: LTRW Fig.79:Damaged roof over the entry vestibule leading to the basement. Also seen wood rot and damage seen on the paneled entrance door. Credit: LTRW Fig.80:Damaged gutter and downspout causing mortar loss and algae growth on brick masonry exterior facade. Also see metal staining on the terracotta water table. Credit: LTRW 44Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH Bell tower The bell tower rises above the church roof level and has a hipped roof covered with red terracotta tiles and copper cap along the hips. The roof has a metal cross supported on a copper base. The upper level of the bell tower has three openings on each side with a pair of decorative terracotta columns. The terracotta sill which wraps the tower at this level has numerous open joints requiring repointing. The terracotta roofing tiles are in good in good condition. The metal cross, copper base and cap are weathered but a closer inspection would be required to determine the exact repairs required. Fig.81:Detailed view of the bell tower and terracotta roof. See deteriorated copper cap and base. See Credit: Save St John Cantius Church Facebook page. 45 ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH D. Recommendations 46Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation, LLP HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH RECOMMENDATIONS The former St. John Cantius Church is an important contributing building within the Pomeroy Terrace Historic District and is worthy of rehabilitation. The current intent is to rehabilitate the building for use as a residential apartment building. Our recommendation is to maintain the historic appearance of the exterior of the building to the greatest degree possible. This includes: 1. Maintaining the existing massing and fenestration patterns to the greatest degree possible. Where new openings are required or existing openings need to be modified, the new design should be sympathetic to the existing architectural design of the building. Such interventions should be considered only if necessary to adaptively reuse the building. 2. Cleaning and repointing historic brick and terracotta masonry with replacement mortar which matches the original mortar properties of strength, vapor permeability, and appearance. 3. Repairing or replacing damaged terracotta elements to match the original condition. 4. Repairing the red slate shingle roof and metal flashings. If upon closer inspection it is found that the existing slate roof cannot be repaired, and installation of a new red slate shingle roof is not economically viable, a red synthetic slate, or asphalt shingle roof should be installed to match the historic appearance of the building as close as practicable. 5. Replacing the metal gutters and downspouts. 6. Repairing the wooden entry canopy structure on Hawley Street. 7. Maintaining the remaining stained glass windows. 8. Restoring the existing exterior doors to the degree possible while providing Code required egress and accessibility. If a new accessible entrance is required at Hawley Street, we would recommend that the existing landing be made deeper to accommodate a ramp from the side. While not directly affecting the integrity of Pomeroy Terrace Historic District, we recommend that the interior renovation of the building maintain as much of the historic elements and detailing as is practicable. ltrw-arch.com HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT| FORMER ST. JOHN CANTIUS CHURCH